He was born May 24, 1935, at Leach, Okla., to the late Thomas Howard and Jessie Clarice Dempsey Bly. He attended the First Free Will Baptist Church in Ola. He loved to read books, hunt and ride motorcycles and most of all spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by one grandson, William Franklin Colton Burfield; his parents; three sisters, Patricia Bly, Judy Anne Bly, and Iris Gale Williams; and one brother, Howard Junior Bly.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Betty Bly of Ola; one daughter, Melissa Ann Burfield of Ola; one sister, Leola Rose and husband, Charles, of Centerville; two brothers, D. Bly and wife, Marie, of Birta, Leotis Bly and wife, Pat, of Birta; four grandchildren, Samantha Lewis of Ola, Jordan Nichols of Rover, Dempsey Jacob Dalton Burfield of Ola, Hannah Burfield of Ola; one great-grandson, Aidan Lewis of Ola.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at the Ola First Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. John David Keeling officiating. Burial will be in Birta Cemetery.